Car sealing device



1941- H. E; GIBSON ET AL 0 CAR SEALING DEVICE Filed May 13, 1940 $5 INVENTORS A #024 as E. a/aso/v BY 40. Q. maaee Patented Nov. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE/A can SEALING DEVICE Horace .E. Gibson-and Lou Q. Moore, Pueblo, 0010. Application May 13, 1940, Serial No. 334,730

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a safety sealing device and while more particularly designed for sealing freight cars it will be found valuable for any use Where the detection of tampering is desired.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a metallic, strap-type seal in which the sealing strap can pass completely through the sealing mechanism to enable the loop to be pulled tight about any object regardless of how small the object may be; and to provide means for preventing movement of the strap in either direction after it has reached its final position.

Some of the present car seals consist of a flexible metal strap with a locking socket atone extremity into which the free extremity of the strap may be inserted and from which it cannot be withdrawn. The strap cannot pass completely through the locking socket however, so that the loop in the strap always remains the same size and hangs loosely from the door hasp. An experienced tamperercan cut the strap close to the socket and remove the same. He then can replace the seal and insert the cut extremity into the socket where it will be locked in place. The tampered seal is difiicult to detect-since the only change therein is a slightly smaller loop.

The above is impossible with this invention for the loop is originally pulled tight about the door hasp staple so that there is no excess material for reinsertion in the locking device.

Other types of present seals prevent reversal of the strap in the locking sleeve but can be removed and replaced by cutting the strap away from the locking sleeve and pulling it completely through the latter. The seal can be replaced by again securing the cut extremity of the strap to the sleeve by bending the former and then replacing the locking extremity therein. This cannot be done with the present invention for after the strap has reached its tight position, it cannot be moved in either direction through the locking mechanism even though the loop be out.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention, which is de-. signed for simplicity, economy, and efliciency. These will become more apparent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof. Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the drawing and throughout the description.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a slightly enlarged perspective view of the complete seal in the open position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail view of one extremity of the sealing strap.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of member.

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the seal in the loopedposition.

Fig. 5 is a cross section through the seal taken on the line 5-5, Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a magnified longitudinal section through the .seal as it appears when 'theloop is being tightened.

' Fig. 7 is a similar .sectionillustrating the seal in the fully locked position;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged l'de'tail perspective view of one of the locking tabs employed in'the strap.

- Fig. 9 illustrates :ause for'the seal in sealing bags of material.

The improved seal consists of only two simple parts: a flexible strap l0 and a relatively fiat sleeve 11. Both portions are preferably, butnot necessarily, made of relatively thin, resilient steel.

The strap is formed with a projecting ear 12 along one edge and at one extremity thereof whichwidens this extremity beyond the width of the remainder of the strap. In the widened extremity a plurality of locking tongues 54' are cut from the metal of the strap. A plurality of similar locking tabs [3 :are cut from the metal of the strap intermediate its extremities. The free ends of all the tongues and tabs face toward the enlarged extremity of the strap as illustrated in Fig. 1. The tabs l3 do not normally project beyond the surfaces of the strap unless the latter is bent as shown in Fig. 2. The tongues 14, however, are permanently bent upward as shown.

The sleeve H is formed from a single piece of sheet metal and is turned back on itself to form a flat bottom portion l5, of a width and length equal to the width and length of the widened extremity of the strap, and a raised top to form an open passage l6 entirely through the length of the sleeve. Both the top and bottom portions of the sleeve terminate in an open side bordered by two flaps l'l corresponding in contour to the contour of the ear [2.

In assembling the seal, the sleeve of Fig. 3 is slipped over the enlarged end of the strap of Fig. 2. The flaps I1 are pressed against the opposite faces of the ear I2 and spot welded thereto as indicated at l8. This secures the strap permanently in place in the sleeve against the bottom thereof.

To use the device, the strap is simply placed the enclosing sleeve about the article to be sealed and pulled through the channel in the sleeve as shown in Fig. 4. The opposed flaps andtongues engage eachother within the sleeve and prevent withdrawal of the the tongues I4, similar to but considerably smaller 7 The freeends of the auxiliary tongues face away from the freeiends than the main tongues.

of their respective main tongues and turnslightly downward therefrom as shown in Fig. 8. A perforation 20 is formed in each of the tabs l3 of suffi cient size to receive one of the auxiliary tongues l9. l As the strap is initially drawn through the sleeve passage, the tabs snap overthe tongues asshown in Fig. 5.. If, however, the, strapis stopped and given a slight backwardmovement, the auxiliary tongues l9 snap into the perforations 20, as shown in Fig. 7, and permanently lock the tabs and tongues together so that the strap cannot be moved in either direction"with-' outcompletely destroying the seal.

In Fig. 9 the seal is shown being used to seal a bag, a use for which it is admirably adapted since it can be drawn sufiicientlvtight to prevent access and removal.

'While a specific form. of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein, .it is desired to be understood .that the same may be varied, within the scopeof the appended'claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention. l Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent is: 1. A strap type sealing device comprising: a flat sleeve member; a flexible strap secured to and projecting from said sleeve member} said sleeve member having a flat longitudinal passage for the reception of the free extremity of said strap when the latter is turned back on itself to form a loop, said passage being completely open at both' extremities to allow said loop to be drawn to the smallest desired diameter; ratchet tongues within said sleeve member directed away from said loop; ratchet tabs on said strap positioned so that when within said sleeve member they will be directed toward said loop to engage said tongues to prevent withdrawal of said strap toward said loop; and secondary locking means operable by a limited reverse movement'of said strap to prevent further movement of said strap away from said loop.

2. A strap type sealing device comprising: a fiat sleeve member; a flexible strap secured to and projecting from said sleevemember, said sleeve member having a flat longitudinal passage for the reception of the free extremity of said;

strap when the latter is turned back on itself to form a loop, said passage being completely open at both'extremities to allow said loop to be drawn to the smallest desired diameter; ratchet tongues within said sleeve member directed away from said loop; ratchet tabs on said strap positionedso that when within said sleeve member they will be directed toward said loop to engage said tongues to prevent withdrawal of said strap toward said loop; and secondary locking means positioned between, the :engaging faces of said tongues and said tabs for locking the tongues to g the tabs, said latter means being positioned to be brought into locking engagement by a limited reverse movement of said strap.

3. A strap type sealing device comprising: a

fiat sleeve member; a flexible strap secured to and projecting from said sleeve member, said sleeve member having a flat longitudinal passage for the reception of the free extremity of said strap when the latter is turned back on itself to form a loop, said passage being com pletely open .at both extremities to allow said loop to be drawn to the smallest desired diameter; ratchet tongues Within said sleeve member directed away from said p; ratchet tabs on said strap positioned so that when within saidsleeve member they willbe directed toward said loop to engage said tongues toprevent complete withdrawal of said strap toward said loop; and auxiliary locking tongues formed in said ratchet tongues anddirected in the, oppositedirection therefrom, said auxiliary tonguesbeing positioned so that a limited withdrawal movement of said strap will cause them toengage openings in said tabs to prevent withdrawal of said tabs from said tongues.

' HORACE E; GIBSON. LOU Q. MOORE. 

